Pakistan Army kills 31 militants

At least 31 militants have been killed in latest operations carried out by the Pakistani security forces in northwest Pakistan, officials said on Monday.

The army said in a statement that in the 24 hours to Monday evening at least 31 militants have been killed and 50 others wounded in operations carried out in different parts of North West Frontier Province (NWFP) and in South Waziristan tribal agency.

A security personnel was killed and four others wounded, the statement added.

Meanwhile, Pakistan Army chief Gen Ashfaq Pervez Kayani Monday took part in an air operation against the militants in NWFP, media reports said.

Kayani flew an F-16 fighter jet himself to hit militants' positions in the Swat and Malakand regions in NWFP. A co-pilot accompanied Kayani in the operation.

It is the first time in Pakistan's history that an army chief directly took part in an operation.

Earlier, speaking at a military base in eastern Punjab province, Kayani said maximum care has been taken to avoid civilian casualties in the operations against the militants.

He said over 100 soldiers have lost their lives in the latest war against the militants.

He said the salaries of soldiers participating in the ongoing war at the western border will be increased from July 1, while others would receive the benefit from January next year.

At least 1,500 militants have been killed since Pakistani forces launched its operation against the Taliban in April.